cruiseny4life

Sounds like an Outlook calendar app to me! My calendar is a rainbow of colors and categories! It's probably why I am the opposite of @YVRteacher and plan nothing.

I'm not quite sure how I'm supposed to respond. Or how any of us should respond since it seems you don't want firsthand information. It's well known NCL doesn't weigh every single customer's bag and certainly 3 kg's isn't going to make any difference. But, based on your post, that's not the information you are seeking. But, you're asking for the legal difference. Are you planning to sue NCL for stating one thing in their FAQ's and then stating something else in the terms and conditions? Are you asking because you'd like to find discrepancies that negate certain facts? I'm just really confused about your intent and want to understand more. What am I missing?

Just to help folks that may be confused by the Margaritaville, American Diner, Haven Restaurant embarkation lunch: 1. Margaritaville is no more. Hasn't been for years. 2. American Diner is NO LONGER exclusively for Haven guests on embarkation day. Honestly, I'm not sure it was ever exclusively for Haven guests, but it was included in your fare on embarkation day. The menu has completely changed and is open to all (look at the Dailies for the schedule for your particular cruise). Based on all the trip reports, I haven't seen another venue opened up to relieve the strain on the Haven Restaurant on embarkation day. 3. Haven Restaurant is open and will take all Haven guests, providing them the same menu that passengers will have for the entire cruise. Some love the menu. Others (like me) aren't enamored with it, but hey, it's food that is cooked good. And the service is always quite good. This means we have changed up our embarkation day lunch. Instead of going to American Diner, we now go to the Haven Restaurant. We have no desire to go to the buffet, American Diner, or main dining rooms when the Haven Restaurant offers a nice atmosphere and good, but uninspired lunch food. At least we get to know the Haven servers before dinner now! As for the quality of American Diner, I can no longer speak to that as I haven't tried the new menu. The old menu had decent quality food and items you could find nowhere else on the ship. I'm thinking of my dearly beloved (and now lost) mozzarella sticks, shrimp and grits, and lobster roll. Unlike many on the Haven-specific boards, my husband and I enjoyed the different menu and venue for one meal. And, those milk shakes...yum!! Even for an extra charge. Mozzarella sticks and milk shakes - the only upcharge food items we purchase outside of the included Free at Sea meals.

The icing you're referring to is probably frangipane, which is generally ground almonds, butter, sugar, and eggs. I work PT at a bakery making Almond Croissants (and other items). They are day (or two) old croissants, cut in half. Then the frangipane is added inside. On top, some frangipane is put on and this stickiness holds the almonds in place during the baking process. Haven Almond Croissants are yummy! But, I do prefer a bakery in Rochester (note, I didn't say the ones I bake). Lots of places make these. I did a quick Google search and found La Rose Patisserie and Paris Baguette, in Beaverton, make these. Try them out! You are correct that the Almond Croissants are not made on the ship, unlike most of the other pastries you'll find.

Unlike @Sailing12Away and @graphicguy and @RocketMan275 (not sure he's chimed in yet), my husband and I are get there as early as possible kind of cruisers! Sure it means we'll have to sit in the lounge for an hour or so after checking in, but there's coffee, tea, and some light snacks. We usually play Monopoly or some other game on our phone with each other while waiting. Then, when the concierge comes to get us, we're up and among the first group onboard (husband has been the first onboard and that gave him great glee - for no reason other than being first). We'll hang around the Haven Lounge until the Haven Restaurant opens, then be among the first in there to be served. Used to be American Diner was our go-to, but now it's Haven Restaurant (booo). Anyway, we enjoy a leisurely lunch as it normally isn't too hopping when we get there. It sure does pick up by the time we leave. Next up! It's change into bathing suit time and enjoy the pools, hot tub, and sundeck for several hours. It's just such a relaxing way to begin the day! We love it! And, I know this is a weird take (I'm a weird man)...I feel that I paid for a full day onboard, so getting onboard between 11 and 12 (depending on when boarding opens up) helps me maximize the time I'm on the ship. If it were my choice (it isn't), I'd stay onboard until the zero count is in the single digits, but our travel plans usually dictate that we need to get off the ship early, early. Here's to beautiful Haven embarkations, however you choose to spend the day!!

In my experience (non-Alaska itineraries), with a sail away time of 4 - 6 PM, the spa raffle has been between 5 and 6 PM. I don't know of any other raffles.

It's so hard not to be jaded when discussing NCL....and here's such a great example.

Sending good vibes to your familyso your brother-in-law is able to recover quickly! A little extra stress for your travels, I suppose, but meds will hopefully get him on the mend.

All is well here! As you prepare your indoor plants for their long time with no human interaction, we are prepping about 150 trees outside as we create an orchard in one of our fields. I just loaded my car up with a bunch of mulch - every day this week I'm grabbing 20 bags at Home Depot. So, it's quite the production at home! Looking into a nice side by side or small Kubota to lug all this stuff all over our acreage. I'm thinking my Ford Edge isn't the best for field work! Back on track, here's to hoping you are able to stop at all the ports. It's a quite interesting itinerary! I'm digging the Iceland stop and a few days in Europe before you wind up in Southampton. Please do kindly escort her safely across the North Atlantic! Hah, you have quite a memory! We did successfully manage with a backpack and what could be a carry-on. We actually checked it, even though it only weighed 36 or 37 pounds. It's a duffel bag so can easily be shoved under our feet on a plane if necessary. Thankfully, we had a lot of included luggage on our NCL BOGO Air on Air France. Hopefully our resident NYC photographer is able to get some sail away photos of y'all heading past the Verrazano. Wouldn't it be just around sunset as you cruise through those narrows? Maybe a nice clearing with puffy clouds, a bright descending sun, and gorgeous ship slipping peacefully underneath. Here's to hoping!

At least you can prepare ahead of time, I suppose. NCL has cut back a lot of things. There's a reason I have a self-initiated pause on booking cruises right now. 🤠

I'm sure folks will come here with every level of experience from servers that waived nothing, to servers that provided extra sides, appetizers, desserts, and salads at no charge. There is no real consistent answer based on all the feedback on these here boards. The best advice (at least I think so) is to order what you want and see what the check comes to. If you're charged for the appetizer, well it's only like what? $15? It won't break anyone. But hey, maybe you'll get lucky!

Based on my interpretation of the article, the vegan place is going to be one of the Indulge stations. My reading comprehension is sometimes...well, atrocious! So, I could be wrong, but I agree with @Sand and Seas that it'll be a station at Indulge which I'm ok with. I know I've mentioned I find it "gross." And yet, I'll probably try a selection or two if I'm ever on a ship with it, unless fake meat is used. If you're vegan, why eat a substance designed to be "meat?" I'm not sure how I feel about the Thai place replacing Food Republic. When we go to Food Republic, 7 of the 8 items (usually) are sushi, so we can just go to Nama, though I do enjoy Food Republic's items more than Nama's. Mmm....now I want some sushi!

A year ago, I was so excited about the Panama Canal. Then I watched a couple of videos. It does look kind of boring, but hey, I'd still like to experience the canal for the sake of having that experience. Plus, stops at Great Stirrup Cay, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, etc. would make it truly worthwhile. I've actually gone through locks on a canoe - very small locks. It's a cool experience while on a multi-day canoe trip. I'm sure it would be cool (but super sticky and hot) experiencing the Panama Canal! See - this is why that dratted NCL PCC needs to call me. It's a 2026 cruise. Surely I could scrape together the dough by then for this one. And I'll just "surprise" my husband. I'm sure he'd be (not-so) thrilled.

They know we'll just complain about a lack of certain items onboard, so they don't call us. I'm always logged into NCL. I kind of hope our PCC calls us. It'll give me an excuse to book the cruise. Especially if it's that beautiful 23 day cruise I want to take from Miami through the Panama Canal to the west coast....oh, to be retired.

I'm obviously here for your ride along the Atlantic! Wish I were joining you and @Sugar Magnolia on this one. Looked and only interior rooms available. Plus, my PTO balance is about 20 hours. Still haven't caught up after that October Arizona trip. I accrued nothing while on unpaid status for our previous Pr1ma crossing. But, I'm really interested in the Samsung comments as we are a very not-Apple friendly family! Except for one Beats by Dre speaker. If that charging cord ever gets chewed up by a mouse, we're in trouble! Anyway, I'm hoping for some positive results to your tech tests. Have a lovely and wonderful trip! I'll be here in my Central NY office following along jealously.

RE: tenders vs. life boats. Capt. Kate (an actual guest-relations minded captain, unlike NCL masters of old world stodginess) provided a lovely explanation of a tender vs. a life boat on her "captain's log." Look up day 68 when she's in St. Lucia. You can find it on the various socials.

Snap it up! It goes away tomorrow. And unlike Free at Sea, it really will go away after the celebrated 4/20 day.

You have to book through a travel agent that offers the perk.

Obviously...until it's not.

That hasn't been my personal experience. We've received tickets at 60 days (domestic) and 100 days (international) prior to the cruise. In both instances we were able to select great seats, next to each other. Since we do book with NCL BOGO Air, we always know there is a possibility we won't be able to sit next to each other or will have to deal with a middle seat...we live together. We can tolerate a few hours not glued to each other's arm skin, though that is kind of awkward when it's a stranger's arm skin instead.

Not how I'd want to drop $1,200 in Bermuda. I wonder if my desired for nonrefundable onboard credit would cover the fine. Then again, I'd actually need to partake.

Most people don't seem to receive luggage tags. If you're sailing in the Haven, you generally do (we have on our sailings). But, I have heard of folks not in the Haven receiving tags. If you want a real tag, just wait til you arrive at the port and have the porter put a tag on. We often forget the tags mailed and just do this (NCL, save money. Don't send us tags.).

Good golly gravy! How much does seat selection cost and how many bags are y'all taking? Is this for more than two people? Cuz, that's a lot of loonies for two! Sorry that happened to you. We always select our seats as soon as NCL sends us the tickets, so I get why you'd be upset.

I think I've probably mentioned this before...but, I will again...I know dang well that my husband and I could easily spend $1,000 of onboard credit, per person. Even the non-refundable kind. Unless it was given to us on the last day. Give us the length of the cruise and yep, I'd be spending like there's no tomorrow! Massage every day and after three days, I'd be broke. 🙂

Get the e-gift card, download the Starbucks app (if you haven't already) and add the e-gift card to your app. Then scan the barcode from the e-gift card when you want to pay.